I am in Y12 with bad GCSEs for medicine what else can I do?
Hi I am currently in Y12 studying Biology,Chemistry and Psychology. I underperformed in my GCSE’s and worried they are not as competitive for medicine. However I did find out I had learning difficulties after my exams and obviously did not have the access arrangements during my GCSE’s so hoping that may excuse my poor grades. Here are my GCSE’s grades.
Maths -8
English lit -6
English Lang-6
Biology-7
Physics -7
Chemistry -8
History-9
French-8
Option 1-7
Option 2-6
6667778889
I have not received predicted grades yet but my likely targets based on GCSE’s are: ABB with the A in psychology however with my learning difficulties diagnosis I have been doing better in school getting 70-85% in my tests.So hoping my predicted could be AAA
What I currently do outside of school:
-I am St John Cadet so I have had experience observing doctors and other HCPs give out first aid/medical care
- I am doing an EPQ on something medical related
-nearly finished my Brighton and Sussex virtual work experience
- have in-person work experience in a hospital lined up for next year
-volunteer at a women’s charity
I am hoping to get work experience in a pharmacy to show my understanding of the MDT but what else can I do or is it just waiting for the UCAT to be the deciding factor. And do I still have a chance in medicine despite it becoming even more competitive. Sorry for all the text!
Maths -8
English lit -6
English Lang-6
Biology-7
Physics -7
Chemistry -8
History-9
French-8
Option 1-7
Option 2-6
6667778889
I have not received predicted grades yet but my likely targets based on GCSE’s are: ABB with the A in psychology however with my learning difficulties diagnosis I have been doing better in school getting 70-85% in my tests.So hoping my predicted could be AAA
What I currently do outside of school:
-I am St John Cadet so I have had experience observing doctors and other HCPs give out first aid/medical care
- I am doing an EPQ on something medical related
-nearly finished my Brighton and Sussex virtual work experience
- have in-person work experience in a hospital lined up for next year
-volunteer at a women’s charity
I am hoping to get work experience in a pharmacy to show my understanding of the MDT but what else can I do or is it just waiting for the UCAT to be the deciding factor. And do I still have a chance in medicine despite it becoming even more competitive. Sorry for all the text!
Reply 1
Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum.
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The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
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Work Experience and Voluntary Work
GANFYD's "Which medical schools accept retake A-Levels" list
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2026 entry A100/ A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
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Medical Schools Index 2025 entry
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Medicine UCAS Extra for 2025
Medicine UCAS Clearing for 2025
Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2027 entry
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Increase in the NHS Bursary and expenses for placement
The postgraduate exams thread
Useful Articles:
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
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If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
Megathreads (Please read the first post before posting any further questions you have within that thread.)
The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work
GANFYD's "Which medical schools accept retake A-Levels" list
2026 Applicants :
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 Entry
Medicine 2026 entry for resit/retake/gap year applicants
International Students for Medicine 2026 Entry (overseas students applying to the UK)
UCAT 2026 Entry Discussions Megathread
GAMSAT Megathread 2026/2027 entry
GAMSAT Megathread 2025/2026 entry
2026 entry A100/ A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2026 entry
Medical Schools Index 2025 entry
UCAS Extra and Clearing:
Medicine UCAS Extra for 2025
Medicine UCAS Clearing for 2025
Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2027 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2027 Entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2028 Entry
Current Medical Students and Doctors:
Guidance on posting in this subforum
So, you're going to medical school.... MKII
OSCE Tips and Advice
Increase in the NHS Bursary and expenses for placement
The postgraduate exams thread
Useful Articles:
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application
Funding medicine as a second degree
Our Community:
Medicine Community Feedback and Suggestions
Medicine Gap Year Stories
Project: Minimum UCAT Score Trends
If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
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